The First Ghosts

Most Ancient of Legacies

By: Irving Finkel

Narrated by: Irving Finkel

Dr Irving Finkel, curator at the British Museum, explores why the belief in ghosts is what makes us human.

There are few things more in common across cultures than the belief in ghosts. Ghosts inhabit something of the very essence of what it is to be human. Whether we personally 'believe' or not, we are all aware of ghosts and the rich mythologies and rituals surrounding them. They have inspired, fascinated and frightened us for centuries - yet most of us are only familiar with the vengeful apparitions of Shakespeare, or the ghastly spectres haunting the pages of 19th-century Gothic literature. But their origins are much, much older....

The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies takes us back to the very beginning. A world-renowned authority on cuneiform, the form of writing on clay tablets that dates back to 3400 BC, Irving Finkel has embarked upon an ancient ghost hunt, scouring these tablets to unlock the secrets of the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians to breathe new life into the first ghost stories ever written. In The First Ghosts, he uncovers an extraordinarily rich seam of ancient spirit wisdom that has remained hidden for nearly 4,000 years, covering practical details of how to live with ghosts, how to get rid of them and bring them back and how to avoid becoming one, as well as exploring more philosophical questions: what are ghosts, why does the idea of them remain so powerful despite the lack of concrete evidence and what do they tell us about being human?

©2021 Finkel Productions Limited (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

pure joy

This work is an excellent balance of scholarship and entertainment. The presentation is extremely engaging.

A fresh, yet ancient, perspective

Professor Irving Finkel, of the British Museum, uses his expertise on ancient Mesipotamia, the records left in their cuneiform writing, to explore the concept of Mesopotamian's culture, religion, and history, through a unique lens--their belief in ghosts. Through their own words at times, he reveals the everyday place of ghosts in Mesopotamian society. At times humorous, (Finkel himself is wonderful to listen to), the book makes the point that it is only in modern times that ghosts have been made a questionable phenomenon. They've walked among us, and with us, since the very beginning. As one tablet said, "Those who see, will see. Those who hear, will hear." Finkel brings a warm, human, and even profound perspective to his subject. A wonderful read, and a wonderful listen.

Ghostly enthusiasm

This book was very interesting and incredibly detailed. I enjoyed the in depth details. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history and has a fascination with ghost.

Lovingly told by an incomparable expert

Irving Finkel is one of the greatest experts in Mesopotamian writing, history and culture on Earth. He is the reason that we can , 4000 years after its inception, play the Royal Game of Ur as easily as monopoly. He shows an ability to interpret ancient writing in a manner that not only demonstrates erudition but which passes a common-sense sniff test as well.
This book centers on ancient conceptions of the afterlife , and more specifically those people who have been there and returned. We get detours to discuss related topics like immortality, divination, witchcraft etc. but tye focus is strongly on the spirits of the dead. Dr. Finkel always addresses the topic in terms of how the ancients would have understood their own surroundings- interpreting their concepts for the reader's comprehension, but never losing sight of the lived experience. This speaks to the author's obvious love of his subject. He relishes getting inside the hearts and minds of our bronze age predecessors. He has not just a grasp of their thought processes but a transparent affection for them. Finkel also clearly loves a good ghost story, not just from the perspective of an academic but the way that a grandfather might enjoy telling a campfire tale to some attentive children.
The book is narrated by Dr. Finkel who has a pleading delivery and a voice made for storytelling. The producers left in some takes where the author pauses mid sentence to take a long breath or swallow, and after a few of these instances it can grate slightly. I think a more attentive production team might have asked for some re-takes, but this is a minor quibble. Similarly, Dr. Finkel allows himself a few detours (giving a chapter over to identifying the name of a certain prince in a parable , using cross-comparison of several sources) that obviously fascinate him but may strain the attention of any non-Assyriologist listening. These are very much the exception not the rule.

In summary: the subject is fascinating, the author is one of history's greatest experts in the field, and the narration is a pleasure to listen to.

MORE IRVING FINKEL PLEASE

This book was fantastic! if you are at all interested in ghosts or Mesopotamia, or ancient history writ large, The First Ghosts is a fantastic read.

Wonderful text and performance

Fantastic! Irving Finkel's voice is completely charming and well supplemented by the two voice actors in this fascinating analysis of early ghosts. Highly recommended.

Very informative, fun to listen to!

I really enjoyed listening to Irving Finkel read his new book on ghosts. He makes the ghost stories, spells, and tales of the underworld from the Ancient Cuneiform texts come alive. He is very funny throughout. His Afterword has the best argument I ever heard on why people could believe in ghosts and why those who adamantly don't are really ignoring the past.

Audible should get Irving Finkel to read other books by other authors. There is nothing dull, dry, or stuffy in his reading.

Odd but loved it

Won't be for everyone , but if you love history , and the odd things of life it might be the thing for you. It is like sitting in the class of your favorite, one of a kind, prof who missed his calling as a stage actor .

Original, informed and brilliant.

A must read for anyone into in myth and magic hoping also for pragmatic explanation. This is THE book on ghosts, past present and future with many laughs along the way. Finkel tackles matters of life and death without cliche and with great insight and humour. I downloaded Audible version liking to hear the authors own voice.

a delight to listen to

Irving has wonderful insights and a beautiful British sense of humor. And he sounds just like Terry Pratchett. It's like being taught by Merlin from Sword in thr Stone, and he constantly reminds us that these were people like us. I've listened to it multiple times andnlove it each time